Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

Physicians have been trained to work long hours and shifts, stretching them to their mental limits; which can lead to challenges at work and at home. The most successful physicians I have worked with have taken some sort of formal or informal training on work/life balance strategies. They also maintain healthy lifestyle’s in order to maintain a healthy mindset which in turn, prevents overall physician stress and burnout. – Tara Gaugh, CPRP/Physician Recruitment Manager/ Southern Illinois Healthcare F I E L D N O T E S Ensuring Your Financial Health It is unbelievable that some doctors are struggling to pay their bills. I know on a resident’s salary you can’t believe that is possible, but I see it all the time. If it happens to you, you will begin doing things that may be harmful to your wellness. You might start taking extra shifts at work instead of coming home. You might add more patients to the schedule and not make it home for dinner. You might start doing things just to earn more money to make ends meet, instead of because you love to do them. As noted in the burnout chapter, financial instability and lack of financial literacy are leading contributors to physician burnout. If you slowly grow into your new income, keeping your goals in sight and sticking to your budget, you will likely have less stress and have more financial freedom to do the things you reallywant to do. Make sure the things you spend your money on are things you choose and not a reaction to what someone else has. Don’t join Dr. Jones in Brokeville. SECTION III: T MINUS ONE YEAR CAREER AND LIFE PLANNING GUIDEBOOK FOR MEDICAL RESIDENTS 342